Paris Cruise: Best Cruises to Paris France

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Paris (Le Havre) France Port Guide

On a cruise to Paris, you’ll arrive in the busy port of Le Havre, lying on the estuary of the river Seine under the vast skies of France’s Normandy region, famed for its bucolic countryside, pretty seaside towns, and culinary tradition. This is the gateway to Paris, the City of Light, a destination of grand boulevards, world-famous museums, and iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame.

Spend your time in the French capital marveling at exquisite art, or gazing at the exquisitely styled window displays of the designer shops along the Champs-Elysées. Lose yourself in the boho Latin Quarter on the Left Bank, wander through the ornate Jardin du Luxembourg, or simply sip a café au lait at a sidewalk café, watching the city’s chic residents go by.

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Top Sights & Attractions for Cruises to Paris (Le Havre)

The Eiffel Tower

Possibly the most recognizable icon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower has dominated the skyline of the city center since 1889. Take the elevator to the first level to walk on the glass floor. Then head up to the second for sweeping views across grand boulevards and leafy parks, the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre, and the river Seine, which snakes through the city. Go even higher if you dare; there’s a Champagne bar on the third level, a dizzying 905 feet above the city, reached by a glass-walled elevator.

D-Day Landing Beaches

Anybody interested in World War II history will want to tour some of the major Normandy sites from Le Havre. You can visit Omaha Beach, one of five that were part of the D-Day landings. While in Normandy, you can also see Pointe du Hoc, where Allied forces climbed the 100-foot promontory to capture German machine gun posts. Pay your respects to the soldiers buried at the American Cemetery of Colleville and visit Pegasus Bridge, which is the landing location of the British Parachute Regiment.

Honfleur

Immaculate Honfleur is the archetypal French fishing port, its colorful houses clustered around the harbor, the waterfront lined with seafood restaurants. The port lies just across the Seine estuary from Le Havre, so it’s an easy visit. The quality of the light and general beauty here inspired many artists, among them Monet, Boudin, Dufy, Dubourg, and Friesz, and you can admire their work in the Eugène-Boudin Museum. Make time for lunch; baked Camembert and fish stew are two local specialties.

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Top Things to Do in Paris (Le Havre)

Admire the Architecture

Paris is an exceptionally beautiful city, its wide boulevards lined with Haussmann-style architecture, the whole of the center overlooked by the distinctive Eiffel Tower. Take a trip to the top for spectacular views. You can also admire the grand Arc de Triomphe, the Gothic splendor of the carefully restored Notre Dame, and the Roman-Byzantine curves of the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. A river cruise along the Seine is an easy and romantic way to take it all in.

Visit Famous Art Galleries

In Paris, the Louvre, with its distinctive glass pyramid, is one of the most famous art galleries in the world; it’s home to the Mona Lisa as well as the Venus de Milo. But don’t miss out on the Musée d’Orsay, home to a dazzling collection of work by Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. Or the Centre Pompidou, with contemporary work by Chagall, Miró, Warhol, and Kahlo. Le Havre, too, has the excellent MuMa Le Havre, with a spectacular collection of Impressionist works.

Gaze at the Palace of Versailles

The baroque Palace of Versailles was built in the 17th century and converted from a hunting lodge into the lavish residence of the King of France. This decadent era famously ended with the French Revolution in 1789. The palace is jaw-droppingly opulent, all frescoes, marble, and gleaming gilt, the Hall of Mirrors being one of the most dazzling rooms. The formal French gardens are equally impressive, some 400 statues dotted between neat terraces, colorful flower beds, and splashing fountains.

Top Food & Drink in Paris (Le Havre)

France is famed worldwide for its food, and a cruise to Paris is the perfect opportunity to sit in a romantic Left Bank bistro with red-and-white checkered tablecloths for classic soupe à l'oignon and steak-frites washed down with a pichet of red wine. Head to Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for the pastries and dainty cakes that are works of art, and Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées for dainty macarons in every shade of the rainbow.

Normandy, meanwhile, has its own distinctive specialties. The many apple orchards here produce Calvados liqueur and delicious cider, as well as apple tart accompanied by rich cream from the region’s charismatic “spectacled” cows. Try lamb from the salt marshes on the coast and exquisite Camembert cheese.

Culture & History of Le Havre

The Normandy region has been settled for millennia, but Le Havre was founded as a port in 1517. The city flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to trade from the West Indies and the impact of the Industrial Revolution. In World War II, though, Le Havre was occupied by the Nazis and subsequently almost flattened by Allied bombs. Since the war, it’s been rebuilt in a light-filled, modernist style, the work of renowned architect Auguste Perret, for which it’s been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

Today, Le Havre is a busy port receiving container traffic, oil tankers, and other industrial ships as well as cruise vessels. It’s a working port but a buzzing destination in its own right, with a vibrant arts scene and nearby, beautiful beaches and gently rolling countryside. The language here is French, and while people working in tourism and hospitality speak some English, it’s polite to learn a few words of French. A cultural tip, too, is that people in France are formal and polite. Always greet the shopkeeper when you enter a store and treat servers with respect.

Paris (Le Havre) Cruise Port Facilities & Location

On a cruise to Paris, you’ll disembark at Le Havre, located about 120 miles to the northwest of the city. The cruise terminal has tourist information, shops, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi, as well as bicycle rental. There’s a taxi rank outside. Walking from the cruise terminal to Place Perret in the city center will take about 30 minutes, and there are also shuttle buses available.

Transportation in Paris (Le Havre)

The easiest and most stress-free way to get to Paris from Le Havre is on a shore excursion. If you prefer to travel independently, there are usually hourly trains to Paris Saint-Lazare, a journey which takes two hours. Getting around Paris itself is easy, as there’s an efficient metro, and walking or cycling is a pleasure. If you want to stay in Le Havre for the day, there are shuttle buses from the cruise port to the center. Car rental is also available.

Shopping in Paris & Le Havre

In Paris, there’s unrivaled luxury shopping; the Golden Triangle in the 8th arrondissement, the avenues of Champs-Elysées, Georges V, and Montaigne, is home to every designer label imaginable. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement is both a historic landmark and the city’s most prestigious department store. Head to the Latin Quarter for books, including the English-language Shakespeare & Company, near Notre Dame. On weekends, the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is one of Europe’s largest flea and bric-a-brac markets.

In Le Havre, you’ll find fashion, beauty, and fast food at the Espace Coty mall and the Docks Vauban shopping center. There are regular produce markets where you can taste cheeses, fresh oysters, cold meats, and crepes.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The currency in France is the Euro. There are ATMs everywhere, but many places use contactless payments for even small transactions. Don’t try to pay in U.S. dollars; they’re not widely accepted here. In restaurants and cafés, a 15% service charge is always added to the bill, which will say “service compris”, or service included. You can leave a cash gratuity on top if you like, but it’s not expected; hospitality staff in France are paid a living wage. In taxis, you can round up the bill. Tour guides would appreciate a small cash tip, but otherwise, this is not a big tipping culture.